Environment and Policies

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP)
A Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is a multi-component approach by which school districts and schools use all opportunities for students to be physically active, meet the nationally-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifettime.
There are five components of this program:

High-quality physical education

Physical activtiy during the school day

Physical activity before and after school

Staff involvement

Family and community engagement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) developed guidance for school districts and schools to develop, implement, and evaluate CSPAP.

Coordinated School HealthCoordinated School Health (CSH) is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a strategy for improving students' health and learning in our nation’s schools.
Coordinating the many parts of school health into a systematic approach can enable schools to:

The SHI was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with school administrators and staff, school health experts, parents, and national nongovernmental health and education agencies to identify strengths and weaknesses, improve student health, and promote health-enhancing behaviors and better health.

Action for Healthy KidsUtah Action for Healthy Kids consists of individuals and partnering organizations working together to increase physical activity and healthier nutrition within the school system. Utah Action for Healthy Kids team is currently working on providing a webinar series through the Utah PTA to promote good nutrition and wellness in the school system by increasing fruit and vegetable intake, boost physical activity, and improve school wellness policies.

School Gardens
School gardens offer opportunities for fun and physical activity while also serving as an important educational tool to help students understand how healthy food in produced and where their food comes from. Some research suggests that, when used as part of a nutrition education strategy, school gardens can increase knowledge of fruits and vegetables and influence behavior change among children.